House approves 520 bridge tolling

The state House on Friday approved tolling on the Highway 520 bridge across Lake Washington to help pay for a replacement span.

House Bill 2211 passed by a 52-46 vote and now goes to the state Senate.

The original measure proposed one-way tolling of $3.25 as early as 2010 to raise up to $1.2 billion to replace the floating structure. There’s no specific amount now, though it’s estimated the tolls will be several dollars. The new six-lane bridge could open by 2016. Tolls could vary by time of day, set by the state Transportation Commission.

Gov. Chris Gregoire praised the House action.

“I am very pleased to see House leadership rising to the occasion and approving legislation that will allow us to move forward on 520 construction,” she said in a statement. “The legislation includes authorization for early pontoon construction, the foundation of the 520 bridge construction, early tolling on 520 and the financial support to get the 520 bridge built. These actions will provide for critical safety improvements, create more jobs, and provide for more capacity and easier commutes through the corridor.”

Critics complained that the tolls were too expensive and don’t make any sense since the adjacent Interstate 90 bridge won’t also be tolled under HB2211; people will simply use the bridge they don’t have to pay for, they say.

“This is a bad bill that’s going to make it more expensive to live in this state,” said Rep Jay Rodne, R-North Bend.

However supporters said the 520 bridge needs to be replaced and tolling is the best way to raise needed funds. They said charging tolls before the new bridge is completed will actually save money by raising more of the bridge’s cost earlier, in cash, so less will have to be borrowed to finance it in the end and tolls would be less.

Tolling would bring the total amount of funds raised for the project – along with amounts on hand – to $2.6 billion on a bridge now estimated to cost between $4.6 billion and $6.6 billion, depending on the final design.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation is taking public comments through May 11 on its required assessment of the environmental impacts (including traffic) of 520 tolling. Transportation officials have scheduled public hearings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 28 in Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 30 in the University Branch of Seattle Public Library, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E.